Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of waste water, in particular for the continuous purification of waste water in papermaking, where waste water to be purified is fed to an anaerobic reactor (12), the waste water is contacted, in the anaerobic reactor (12), with anaerobic microorganisms in order to degrade contaminants present in the waste water, and the purified waste water is discharged from the anaerobic reactor (12), where at least some of the waste water is subjected to a pressure-release flotation step (30) before being supplied to the anaerobic reactor or after being discharged from the anaerobic reactor, in order to delime the water to at least some extent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A dissolved air flotation clarifier for removing impurities from a liquid to be clarified. The dissolved air flotation clarifier includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a liquid to be clarified. The housing further includes a reaction zone, a clarification zone and an effluent channel. The reaction zone has at least one saturated water distributor and at least one dissolved air flotation nozzle operably connected to the at least one saturated water distributor to receive saturated water from the at least one saturated water distributor. The dissolved air flotation nozzle is configured to release micro-bubbles from a saturated water so that the micro-bubbles can mix with the liquid to be clarified to remove impurities from the liquid to be clarified.

Abstract: A process using an electrical signal for electrokinetic floatation of solids and semi-solids in paint sludge water includes collecting the paint sludge water into a tank. The process further includes generating the electrical signal from a bottom of the tank to separate the solids and semi-solids from the water in the paint sludge water to induce electrokinetic floatation of the solids and semi-solids to a top surface in the tank. After separating the solids and semi-solids from the water, the process includes removing the solids and semi-solids from the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffuser apparatus which has fine pores capable of achieving a high oxygen transfer efficiency and rarely becoming clogged so that the apparatus can be operated stably over a prolonged period. The diffuser apparatus according to the present invention includes: an aeration plate 4 that is disposed in an aeration tank 12 in order to release pressurized air, fed from a diffusing air feed pipe 3, as air bubbles from fine pores formed in an aeration plate surface 4a; blow water feeding means 5 for feeding blow water into the diffusing air feed pipe 3; and an inserted pipe 7 for discharging the blow water, fed into the diffusing air feed pipe 3, from the aeration plate 4.

Abstract: A protein skimmer having a water column chamber and a fixed deflector. The fixed deflector including a plurality of blades that impart a swirling action on water flowing through the deflector. The deflector further providing an even distribution of bubbles within the water column chamber during protein filtering operation. The deflector including a central hub that aids in maintaining the velocity of water flowing through the deflector.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for suction of a secondary fluid into a primary fluid through one or multiple gaps in contact with a venturi. The venturi imparts a high velocity on the primary fluid to flow across a gap in contact with the venturi and draw in the secondary fluid. The apparatus employs a linear venturi with the flow area, or opening, in the form of a narrow ring or narrow rectangle to increase the length of the gap in contact with the venturi. One gap is provided and positioned in contact with one side of the narrow venturi opening, or two gaps are provided having one positioned in contact each side of the narrow venturi opening. The linear venturi is housed in assemblies referred to as “eductors.

Abstract: A dissolved air flotation system and method for purifying fresh water. The system is self-contained within a standard shipping container, with all components disposed in-line within the shipping container. Float is removed from the flotation tank with a skimmer that drives float downstream onto a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt conveys float away from the flotation tank, in the downstream direction, and deposits the float in a collection tank. Clean water may be drawn from the flotation tank continuously, while float may be removed periodically.

Abstract: An injector for a flotation cell, comprising a feed channel for feeding a fiber suspension flow to the flotation cell, a flow distribution element for distributing the fiber suspension flow fed to the injector into partial flows, a mixing apparatus for mixing air with the fiber suspension flow, and at least one air input point for sucking air to be mixed with the fiber suspension flow into the injector. The feed channel, the flow distribution element and the mixing apparatus are in the injector arranged with respect to one another such that a flow direction of the fiber suspension flow in the feed channel is substantially opposite to a flow direction of the fiber suspension flow through the flow distribution element and the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for removing contaminants from wastewater on a vessel using electricity. The wastewater treatment system may inject wastewater with one or more disinfectants or ionized gases, or both, to remove at least a portion of contaminants from the wastewater. The water treatment system may produce disinfectants from saltwater using one or more disinfectant generators and return the byproducts to a water body. The wastewater treatment system may also pass wastewater through an electrical coagulation unit in which an electrical current may be emitted into the wastewater, whereby flocculants are formed and cause suspended solids and other materials to settle out of the wastewater. The wastewater treatment system may include a secondary treatment system for further reducing concentrations of contaminants. In addition, the wastewater treatment system may include a solid waste treatment system for incinerating solids produced by the wastewater treatment system.

Abstract: A recirculated marine aquaculture system for growing crustaceans within a body of water includes a wholly submerged chamber situated in the body of water having a filtering wall connecting the chamber floor and ceiling permitting water to flow from the water body into the first chamber while excluding particulate materials. A second chamber is situated above the first chamber having a plurality of water outlets below the body of water upper surface, and a top having an air inlet above the body of water upper surface. A stand pipe has an open lower end opening into the first chamber and a plurality of laterally directed openings into the top of the second chamber. An impeller coupled to the stand pipe moves filtered water from the first chamber through the laterally directed openings into the second chamber adjacent to the air inlet, the water exiting the second chamber into the body of water through the plurality of water outlets after mixing with air drawn in through the air inlet.

Abstract: Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.

Abstract: A water aerating and dirt collecting device for an aquarium includes a pumping device having a paddle device for pumping and circulating the water contained within the aquarium, a receptacle having an entrance coupled to the pumping device for receiving the water from the pumping device and for agitating the water and for generating an eddy current, and a casing having an inlet port coupled to the receptacle for receiving a filtered dirt from the receptacle and having a mouth coupled to the pumping device for allowing an air in the casing to be drawn into the pumping device. The receptacle includes a tubular member for collecting the filtered dirt.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wastewater treatment using a nitrogen/phosphorus removal process combined with a floatation separation of sludge that is replaced by the gravity settling secondary clarifier are provided for effectively removing organic substances, nitrogen, phosphorus, granular substances and the like from wastewater. Al or Fe electrode plate is used for generating the micro bubbles so that phosphorus is removed by Al or Fe ions dissolved from the anode.

Abstract: A filter cartridge including a frame that is formed of one or more fluid conductive members and has a fluid outlet and a plurality of spaced inlets; and a flexible fabric material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the flexible fabric material being connected to the frame in a manner defining an internal zone, whereby substantially all fluid entering the internal zone from an opposite side of the flexible fabric material passes therethrough; wherein, upon connection of the fluid outlet to a fluid intake system, fluid is drawn through the flexible fabric material into the internal zone, thereby filtering the fluid, and filtered fluid is drawn through the plurality of spaced inlets and passes to the fluid outlet for delivery into the fluid intake system. A system and method for filtering fluid intake are disclosed.

Abstract: A cyclonic flotation system may be used to separate oil, grease, solids and other suspended matter from produced water by a combination of flotation and centrifugation in a separator cyclone. The cyclonic flotation system has a higher capacity-to-footprint ratio compared to conventional apparatus resulting in reduced weight and cost. The system is motion independent and suitable for use on floating structures such as offshore platforms and vessels.

Abstract: A water treatment equipment has a raw water tank as a mixing section, a micronanobubble generation tank, a floatation tank, and a treated water tank. Waste water as treatment water is introduced into the raw water tank and mixed with the water containing micronanobubbles produced by the micronanobubble generation tank. Thereafter, the waste water, as treatment water, is introduced into a lower mixing section of the floatation tank from the raw tank by a raw water tank pump. Also, treatment water containing fine bubbles is introduced into the lower mixing section from a pressure tank. Therefore, the micronanobubbles is mixed with the fine bubbles in the lower mixing section of the floatation tank, thereby almost all the suspended matter in the treatment water is surfaced. Thus, the water treatment equipment enhances separatability of suspended matter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for more effectively dissolving a gas into a liquid stream. A gas is introduced into a liquid stream, at atmospheric pressure, to create a mixed/dissolved stream. The mixed/dissolved stream is then pressurized to an elevated pressure and directed into a hydrocyclone where the gas is further dissolved and more thoroughly distributed in the liquid thereby creating a more intimately mixed/dissolved stream. The intimately mixed/dissolved stream is then directed to a pressure retention vessel where the liquid is held at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time period for effectively treating, disinfecting and/or clarifying said intimately mixed/dissolved stream. The treated intimately mixed/dissolved stream can then be directed to further processing steps.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a fluid vessel defining first and second fluid chambers. A fluid inlet is provided for delivering a fluid to be treated into the first fluid chamber. One or more nozzle assemblies are provided for fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers, wherein said nozzle assemblies are adapted to facilitate mixing of a gas with said fluid. The second fluid chamber is adapted to accommodate a fluid treatment process therein, including a floatation treatment. One specific use of the fluid treatment apparatus includes separating oil from water, particularly water produced from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for treating wastewater liquid by utilizing aerobic biological species. The contaminated wastewater stream is pretreated in a dissolved air flotation system to remove suspended solid waste, including large particles such as fats, grease, and physically emulsified oils. The purified wastewater containing dissolved waste is thereafter oxygenated and further decontaminated in a bioreactor tank. Biological species in the bioreactor tank consume oxygen and perform bodily functions that converts dissolved waste into easily removable carbon dioxide and suspend solids. Oxygen consumed by the biological species is replenished by pumping the wastewater though a liquid-oxygen mixer. A controller regulates the speed of the pump based on real-time oxygen concentration measurements provided by a corresponding oxygen probe disposed within the wastewater in the bioreactor tank.

Abstract: A fluid treatment tank for use in a well fluid processing system. The tank is divided into at least three compartments, including an oil treatment compartment for receiving oil from a separator vessel of the well fluid processing system so as to allow stabilization and/or final separation and treatment of the oil, a reject treatment compartment for receiving reject fluid from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow gravitational separation of heavier and lighter components of the reject fluid, and a water treatment compartment for receiving de-oiled water from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow degassing and/or final separation of the water. Also, a well fluid processing system including such a fluid treatment tank.

Abstract: In wastewater treatment equipment, a surfactant is added to a micronanobubble reaction vessel 3 by using a surfactant pump 8 and a surfactant tank 9 which constitute a surfactant adding section. Thereby, a micronanobubble generator 4 stably and efficiently produces micronanobubbles in the treatment water as raw water containing the surfactant in the micronanobubble reaction vessel 3. Thus, the micronanobubbles make it possible to efficiently pretreat the wastewater introduced into the micronanobubble reaction vessel. Consequently, it becomes possible not only to enhance efficiency of wastewater treatment but also to reduce a treatment load on wastewater treatment equipment 14 in a step subsequent to the pretreatment. Thereby, scale of the wastewater treatment equipment 14 is reduced.

Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.

Abstract: Water purification or treatment apparatus (410) including a plurality of elongated water treatment chambers (433), each chamber (433) being normally oriented in a substantially vertical attitude, return pipes (434) interconnecting the chambers (433) whereby water to be treated flows in series through the respective chambers (433), gas outlets (443) for supplying gas such as ozone to the respective chambers (433) for bubbling upwardly through water flowing in the chambers (433) and creating a foam at the upper surface of water in the chamber (433) and means (440) for collecting the foam.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an open flotation de-inking module for recycled paper comprised of a flotation cell having an injector module and air control module used in conjunction to infuse micro air bubbles into pulp slurry to optimize the process of separating ink, clay, stickies and other float able contaminants from the recycled pulp slurry by negatively pressurizing the slurry as it accelerates through the injector drawing air from the air control module saturating the slurry with air bubbles before injection into the flotation cell whereupon the contaminants will adhere to the bubbles as they move to the surface forming a foam that is passively skimmed into reject compartments with the decontaminated pulp channeled from the floatation cell for further processing.

Abstract: A method for purifying a fluid such as an exhaust gas and waste water, which comprises providing one or more of static mixers on the flow path of the fluid, and mixing and reacting the fluid with a depurative such as ozone in the static mixer to purify the fluid. The method for purifying a fluid allows the purification of a fluid such as an exhaust gas and waste water with significantly good efficiency, and also allows the simplification of an apparatus for use in the purification and the markedly reduction of the cost required for the purification.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater comprises a source of activated sludge, a compressor for supplying pressurized air, at least one anaerobic reactor for anaerobically treating wastewater with the activated sludge, at least one aerobic reactor for aerobically treating wastewater with the activated sludge and pressurized air, a pressure control system for regulating pressure in the system, a discharge system for removing byproducts of the system, and a discharge system for removing treated wastewater and activated sludge from an anaerobic and an aerobic reactor, and a surge tank for holding removed wastewater and activated sludge and thereby further treating the wastewater.

Abstract: A system for wastewater treatment comprises a tank and includes a mixer that generates large mixing bubbles, for example a bubble having a largest dimension of 6 inches to 10 feet. In some embodiments, the mixer is located in the anoxic zone. The mixing bubbles are large enough to move wastewater as they rise to the surface and generate a mixing current in the wastewater. The mixing current mixes the wastewater, and bacteria and other microorganisms to promote the bacteria and other microorganisms' conversion of the pollutants contained in the wastewater. The system further comprises an Integrated Fixed-film Activating Sludge (IFAS) system.

Abstract: On the basis of rainfall amount data (24) representing a timeseries change in the amount of rainfall in a district as an estimation target and unascertained water amount data (23) representing a time-series change in the amount of unascertained water at a base point located downstream of each district, an unascertained water occurrence distribution estimating unit (12) of a control unit (10) calculates a correlation value between the rainfall amount data (24) in each district and the unascertained water amount data (23), and outputs each correlation value as an unascertained water occurrence distribution in each district.

Abstract: An aerator assembly for use in the aeration vessel of a wastewater treatment system comprising a rigid tubular member having an upper end and a lower end, and a diffuser assembly, the diffuser assembly comprising a flexible connector and a diffuser head, the flexible connector connecting the diffuser head to the lower end of the rigid tubular member and providing a fluid flow path between the tubular member and the diffuser head, the upper end of the rigid tubular member being adapted to be connected to a source of an oxygen-containing gas such as air.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from oil-based drilling fluid includes an separation tank, a chemical treatment apparatus having one or more de-oiling polymer preparation tanks, and a dissolved air flotation unit. Slop mud is directed into the separation tank where surfactant is added to separate the drilling fluid from oily water. The drilling fluid is drained for further processing. The oily water is removed by an outlet arrangement from the separation tank and directed to an initial treatment line. One or more de-oiling polymers are added to the oily water in the initial treatment line and mixed therewith. The mixture may then be directed to the dissolved air flotation unit where dissolved air is released into the bottom of the mixture. The dissolved air adheres to suspended solids in the mixture and lifts them to the top surface as a froth. The froth is skimmed from the top surface of the mixture and collected.

Abstract: A device for controlling a dissolved amount of gas. The device is formed of: a pressure reducing part constructed by connecting a hole provided at an upper part of a closed tank to a vacuum pump through a pipe; an injection supply part for injecting fluid to be treated pressurized by a pressurizing pump from the upper part of the tank; a liquid foam generating container where the injected fluid to be treated is received, then gas of the reduced pressure space is involved in, and an air bubble group rises along an inner peripheral wall and is separated from the liquid, and then changes into liquid bubbles in an upper region; a recovery pump part for allowing the liquid bubbles having overflowed from the container; and a tank water level sensor part for maintaining a water level of the treated fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator device for separating a first liquid substance from a second substance, the two substances forming a mixture. The apparatus comprises a vessel with an inlet for receiving the mixture, a first outlet for discharge of a first fraction of the mixture, a second outlet for discharge of a second fraction of the mixture and a flow element. The flow element comprises a number of parallel tubular channels defining a flow path for the mixture, the channels having an gilet end for receiving the mixture and an outlet end for discharge of the first fraction, a length direction of the channels being inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, wherein in a transverse cross section through the flow element, the channels form a two-dimensional array of closed cells, each cell defining a boundary of a flow channel, the cells being arranged in at least two rows, each cell in a first row contacting with its perimeter a cell in the second row.

Abstract: A separator for separating or partially separating oil, water, gas and solids from hydrocarbon production well fluids comprises a vessel and a cyclone contained within the vessel. An inlet passage passes through a wall of the vessel and into the cyclone, the inlet passage having means for causing the flow to rotate within the cyclone. A first outlet passage for an oil rich phase extends from a position within the cyclone and substantially on a central axis of the cyclone; a second outlet passage for a water phase extends from a base of the vessel; and a third outlet passage for the solids extends from a lower end of the cyclone.

Abstract: A fluid jet flotation apparatus 1 is disclosed. The apparatus 1 comprises a tank 10 containing a liquid having a relatively lower region and a relatively upper region and a conduit 2 having a liquid inlet 5 through which a particle-containing liquid is introduced to the conduit 2 as a jet. The conduit 2 also includes a gas inlet 6 through which gas is drawn into the conduit 2 by the jet, the liquid and the gas forming a foam bed that is displaced through the conduit 2 and out through an outlet 24 remote from the inlet 5. The outlet 24 is positioned to discharge the foam bed from the conduit 2 into the tank 10 in an upward direction and in a relatively upper region of the tank. This enhances the separation of value particles in the froth from waste particles in the body of liquid. Further, the reduced pressure at the outlet 24 of the conduit 2 enhances the draw and thereby the volumetric throughput through the conduit 2.

Abstract: A vortex grit trap comprising a generally vertically extending tank of circular cross-section including a separation zone having an inlet and an outlet for liquid flow to and from the tank, and in which liquid is circulated about a longitudinal axis of the tank, and, a grit collection zone positioned beneath the separation zone in use, the trap being characterized by a generally circular tank divider centered on the vertical longitudinal axis of the tank and extending transverse thereto, the divider defining a notional boundary between the separation and collection zones of the tank and being of smaller diameter than the adjacent region of the tank so as to define with the adjacent tank wall an annulus through which grit passes from the separation zone to the collection zone in use, and, means for generating a cloud of gas bubbles migrating in use upwardly through substantially the whole of said annulus whereby substantially all grit passing from the separation zone into the collection zone passes through the

Abstract: A unit for purifying water contaminated by droplets of hydrocarbonaceous liquid has an essentially vertically positioned filter, an inlet chamber for the contaminated water that is partially defined by a first vertical surface of the filter, supply means for contaminated water debouching in the lower portion of the inlet chamber, and outlet means connected to the upper portion of the inlet chamber for discharging hydrocarbonaceous liquid separated from the water in the inlet chamber. The operational period between filter cleaning and/or the hourly capacity of the filter is increased by injecting fine gas bubbles into the contaminated water in least one location selected from locations in the lower portion of the inlet chamber and locations in the supply means to produce a stream of gas bubbles upwards along the first vertical filter surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for treating water by flotation, said installation comprising flotation equipment consisting of a flotation cell (10) into which flocculated raw water mixed with micro-bubbles produced by a pressurization-depressurization system (11) is guided, said cell being provided with a perforated collection device (13) designed in such a way that the surface of the flotation cell is crossed by an identical and uniform flow of water to be treated. The inventive installation comprises capture modules (14) which are arranged in the flotation cell in such a way that the lower part thereof is located at a distance (h) from the perforated collection device (13), said distance being determined such that any disturbance of the uniform distribution established by the perforated collection device is avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sand catcher comprising a deposition chamber (1) that is configured as a steel container with a cylindrical cross-section, traversed in a longitudinal direction. Said deposition chamber comprises air-supply nozzles (4) on one longitudinal side for generating a circulatory motion or the water transversally to the longitudinal direction of the deposition chamber (1) and a sand collection channel (3), located in the lower section, that runs in a longitudinal direction. A waste water inlet (6) for generating the circulatory motion of the water leads into the upper section of the deposition chamber (1), running transversally to said chamber. The air-supply nozzles (4) are provided on the side of the waste water inlet (6) below the latter (6).

Abstract: A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced.

Abstract: A system for the degradation treatment of organics in organically-polluted water is provided with a treatment tank for receiving, as the organically-polluted water, sewage or wastewater from a food-related factory. The treatment tank includes an inlet, an outlet arranged at a position upper than a vertical position of the inlet, and at least one, preferably plural air diffuser pipes for intermittently feeding oxygen-containing gas into the organically-polluted water in the treatment tank. The air diffuser pipe(s) are arranged at a position lower than the vertical position of the inlet such that an aerobic zone and an anaerobic zone can be formed in an upper part and a lower part of the treatment tank to effect degradation of soluble organics in the organically-polluted water primarily with aerobic bacteria and to effect degradation of solid organics in the organically-polluted water primarily with anaerobic bacteria, respectively.

Abstract: A process and a device implementing the process, for separating fluids in emulsion and/or in solution, and/or for low pressure distillation, in particular of water and/or gaseous hydrocarbons dissolved in crude petroleum, and/or for separation of crude petroleum droplets emulsified in water, to obtain water with necessary characteristics for its injection without pollution of underground aquifers, and/or when the mixture is dominant in crude petroleum, acceleration of settling of the water in the lower part of the mixture, and/or for low pressure distillation of crude petroleum. The method creates a localized zone of reduced pressure on part of the free surface of a liquid to be processed, within a closed processing tank, without the overall pressure inside the closed processing tank being affected.

Abstract: A must clarification device is provided comprising a vat into which the must is introduced in either a continuous flow or in batches. Located within a circular chamber in the vat is a turbine rotatable by external means. The must is introduced into the chamber by a centrally located pipe. An air pipe is located concentrically within the must pipe. The pipes are arranged to create a venturi effect to suck the are into the chamber. The turbine mixes the air and must and expels it from the chamber so that the air bubbles cause the impurities to rise to the surface where they are removed.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system (10) having only two cells (18, 20) can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system (10) has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber (16) and two gasification chambers or cells (18, 20), each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism (32), and a discharge chamber (24). A common primary skim collection channel (40) atop the partition (44) dividing the gasification chambers (18, 20) efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter.

Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating suspended solid material from a fluid, comprising the steps of adding in a chamber buoyant media as glass spheres with 30-250 micron diameter (106) to the fluid to form a first mixture of fluid influent and buoyant media, adding a flocculant (108) to the said first mixture to form a second mixture of influent, buoyant media and flocculant, transferring said second mixture to a flotation chamber (200), introducing a pressurised fluid (203) to the second mixture in said flotation chamber, removing separated floating sludge from said flotation chamber, and removing separated clarified effluent from said flotation chamber Optionally, a coagulant may be added after the flocculant.

Abstract: A scum removing unit for wastewater flotation tank includes a driving element; a shaft mechanism being driven by the driving element to rotate and having a rotating element mounted thereon; and a suspension arm being associated with the rotating element. The suspension arm has a lower end extended into a wastewater flotation tank and having at least one scraper fixed thereto. When the rotating element is rotated, the suspension arm is brought to move along a predetermined path, and the scraper at the lower end of the suspension arm is caused to scrape off scrum in the wastewater flotation tank along the predetermined path. Except for the scraper, all the parts of the scum removing unit are not in contact with the scum, protecting the scum removing unit against rust and resultant damage.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus and method of operation for the pretreatment of wastewater to remove and concentrate fats, oils, grease and settled solids using vacuum flotation and a clarifier and returning the pretreated wastewater to the source structure, tank or sewer system. The vacuum flotation process is enhanced by injecting hydrogen peroxide to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration and a cationic emulsion polymer as a coagulant to the wastewater prior to removal into the vacuum flotation tank by vacuum pumping. The chemicals are completely mixed during the vacuum pumping and upon entering the flotation tank, the reduced partial pressure above the water surface causes the dissolve oxygen to come out of solution forming micron size bubbles that attach the coagulated oily solids and float to the surface.

Abstract: An aerated recirculated aquaculture system including a culture tank and an aeration and circulation system. The culture tank houses live aquaculture. The culture tank defines a first flow path. The aeration and circulation system includes an aeration device configured to aerate water. The aeration device defines a second flow path. The first flow path and second flow path at least partially defining a substantially closed flow path sequentially passing through the culture tank and the aeration device. The aeration and circulation system is configured to circulate the water around the substantially closed flow path.

Abstract: A system for separating particles from a contaminated liquid stream includes an apparatus for mixing the liquid with one or more separation enhancement additives and gases. A pressure reducing device having a flow restrictor element within an enlarged tube receives the mixed liquid and creates bubble laden floccs by reducing the pressure of the liquid stream. The pressure reducing device empties into a bloom chamber of a flotation tank, where the bubble laden floccs are directed upwardly to an upper portion of the flotation tank. The flotation tank is configured such that the bubble laden floccs circulate within the upper portion of the flotation tank until they float to the upper surface, while decontaminated liquid flows to a lower portion of the tank for removal. A skimmer removes the floated contaminated floccs from the upper surface of the flotation tank into a dewatering apparatus.